Licensed Professional Counselor / Maine
2026 data Maine board official source

Maine Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Maine data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Maine sets the entry bar for licensed professional counselors at 2,527 training hours and a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Maine's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

The initial price tag is $65, and renewal costs $64 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, licensed professional counselors should know: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
45/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Maine

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,527 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$65
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$32/yr
$64 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maine

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,527 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$65
Renewal Fee
$64
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Professional Counselor All Maine licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maine licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine? ▼
In Maine, the license path calls for 2527 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $65 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Maine, you must meet the state's requirements including 2527 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maine licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Maine from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for licensed professional counselors nationally works like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Maine. Verify the specifics with the Maine licensing board.
Does Maine require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process in Maine. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed professional counselor in Maine, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $64.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Maine's licensed professional counselor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Professional Counselor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed professional counselor license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Maine's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maine overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maine licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.